Anybody going? No N-trak clubs are shown on the show info page. We had 20 people ask us to go there but now I'm not so sure. Also if you are from that area please advise how the neighborhood is as to lodging and any areas you recommend we either avoid or try. Thanks!
When is it, George? I am working a lot in Wichita area, and could go that way if it was on a similar weekend. Last time I was there, I attended a local train show. It was great.
Some members of our Topeka club were going to set up and run with one of the KC Ntrak clubs, but received word that they were not setting up this time. Don't know why? There are 3 N scale clubs in KC, if there are none setting up, I would presume that there was no space available. I don't think you will be disappointed in customers, even if no layouts. I am guessing you will come in on I-35. while not a resident of KC, I would say you should not have problems if you stay at any hotel/motel along I-35 on the Kansas side. The hotels that are near site are either the high dollar downtown hotels or the skidrow type on edges of downtown.
I am planning to go to KC. My reason was to be able to meet George and Deb. I noticed that there were no Nscale layouts running either. But I do hope you go George, maybe others from the Trainboard will come and we could all get together (maybe buyout George's stuff!?)
Good luck with GATS. We had a GATS show here in early December(Louisville KY). We had a ton of N-Scale stuff/dealers, but it appeared that the show was quite slow compared to the shows before. KSONS did not set up a HUGE layout, just a regular round layout. A bunch of dealers came expecting a mob of N-Scalers as before, but most people seemed to be holding onto their money. We are real lucky, because here S. Indiana-N. Kentucky area we have one great LHS, another LHS that deals in estate buying , and a third LHS that deals only in LIONEL, untill he got some N-Scale Atlas diesels in by accidents, priced them GOOD, and sold them the next day! If you have a good hobby shop or shops available locally, you don't need or really care about GATS all that much.
Your not going to find any good hotels near the show. The Royal center is down at the old stock yards. The nice hotels are on the other side of the hill (near union station) Your best bet is to go south of the show on 35. Many hotels within 10-15 minutes. Not sure why there is no nscale set up. The place is huge. However, two years ago we set up and had some problems as the floor is very uneven. There were a lot of people though. If anyone hits the show you can go to Doc Caboose which is down the street about 5 minutes in West Bottoms. Does'nt have a lot of nscale but the scenery is great. Right next to a yard lead and one of the mains going into the UP yard.
The last time GATS came to Wichita they did not let the N-scale clubs set up... at least that is what they told me. They told them there wasn't enough room. The show was dead, and there would have been plenty of room. I am not sure what the deal is but I know the N-scale dealers that attended weren't thrilled. KC has a lot bigger population base and to my knowlege doesn't really have a great N-scale hobby shop so I think people might be ready to shop... I may even head that way.
We're going. Booth space reserved and must be paid for even if we don't go. But if there were no N-scalers in the area, it would simplify the packing since we wouldn't bring it all. Larry: Thanks for the heads up on the lodging Somebody (@ her day job0 is telling Deb to come up on US 54 and to avoid I-35 but can't give her detailed instructions. AAA says I-35 is the best bet.
i'll check this out I'm a member of 3 different clubs here in KC Ps stay out in Overland Park it a lot cheaper
How you get to Kansas is your business, but US-54 does not go to KC. If you take US-54 to Wichita, I would recommend either taking I-35 from there to KC (Wichita to Emporia is a toll road) or if you have the time and want to see 1:1 trains, take K-254 to El Dorado, K-177 to Strong City, US-50 to Emporia and then freeway I-35 to KC. Purpose being that K-177 and US-50 parallel ATSF mainline most of the way and there are usually plenty of trains.
George, Another way to consider to keep out of bad roads is going east to i-44, then going up it into mo, then going up us71. should keep you south as far as possible to keep out of good roads, may take about an hour or so more if you are leaving from OKC. just a thought for ya. beast5420
